State bed
Category
Textiles
Date
1700 - 1800
Materials
Wood, giltwood, velvet and damask
Measurements
690 x 2260 x 2325 mm
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Treasurer's House, North Yorkshire
NT 592879.1
Summary
State bed covered in red damask. Arms of Edward VII applied to headboard. Prince of Wales feathers to the tester. The bed ensemble comprises: Tester covered with red velvet(worn) and decorated with carved and gilded architectural mouldings. Hung with three tassled fringes. At each corner, a gilded putto's head carved in the round, and between Prince of Wales feathers. Underside is coved with shaped central panel and covered in red damask ; Headcloth of red damask ;Headboard, shaped, covered in red damask and edged with red tassled fringes, Arms of Edward VII applied; Pair of Curtains, red damask with metal woven braid, lined with cream-coloured silk ; Bed Frame; Box Spring Mattress; Hair Overlay ; Feather Bolster .
Full description
The earliest (pre-National Trust) inventory for the house notes: 'Head piece and soffit original from Houghton Hall'. The 1906 guidebook claims a date of 1713, add adds,"probably designed by Campbell and Kent from a house in the Eastern counties". Later guidebook entries give date of 1723 and only claim 'part of the bed' is original (see guidebooks for 1908, 1910, 1930).
Provenance
Given by Frank Green (1861-1954) along with house, garden and contents to the National Trust in 1930. Early guidebooks note this and two other beds at Treasurer's House came "from a house in the Eastern counties". 1930 inventory and later guidebooks add detail, "Houghton Hall" for two of the beds.